Tarchuna (Rise of the Republic) Melee Ship

Assault Tetreres - Italian Swordsmen

Ramming attacks from these ships inflict terrible damage.

Never underestimate an Italian in battle: he will smile even as he guts you.

There is a good deal of debate as to how large ancient warships worked; the principles are understood, but the details are not always so clear. A Roman 'quadreme' or Greek 'tetreres' would seem to have four rows of oars if the name is translated literally. However, it is unclear how four sets of oars each with one rower apiece could be used without them getting in a terrible tangle even with a magnificently trained crew, or how the top set of rowers would be able to handle the extremely long oars pitched at a steep angle and still produce any power. The chances are that the term 'oar' had become synonymous with 'rower' and that the lowest bank had more than one man per oar. The other option was to go back to a double row of oars, with two men apiece. Two banks of oars would also have made for a cheaper construction task for each ship. Either way, the result was a ship that could rival the lighter trireme in speed, yet had more deck space for a large fighting contingent or artillery pieces.

(Italian Swordsmen)
Before Rome's ascension and eventual conquest of Italy, it shared the peninsula with others, such as the Etruscans and Samnites. These various petty kingdoms, cities and tribes often fought each other, but also united against common external threats. It was as the Etruscans waned and Greek influence fell away that the Romans began steadily accumulating land and power. Their conquest of the Apennine Peninsula was possible due to the levied troops of every tribe absorbed into the early Roman Republic. Conflict was common in Italy - most tribes went to war during the summer months, to raid neighbouring settlements for riches and resources. Rome made the most of these warlike tribesmen, drawing soldiers from their ranks in exchange for citizenship and social status within the growing Republic. The earliest example of Rome's alliances with neighbouring states was the Foedus Cassianum, with the surrounding Latin city-states shortly after the overthrow of the Roman monarchy in 510BC. The terms were simple and effective: mutual defence for both parties, based on equal contribution to an annual military levy under Roman command.

Abilities

Assault Tetreres

• Row Hard 20
  Increases speed for 20 strokes.
  Ship speed

Attributes

• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
• Resistant to Cold
  This unit tires less quickly in snow.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Assault Tetreres

• Average hull strength
• Medium crew
• Average speed
• Average ramming
• Average boarding

Italian Swordsmen

• Average attack
• Weak defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Poor morale

Tarchuna (Rise of the Republic) Units
General (2)
1.Etruscan Cavalry
2.Etruscan Heavy Hoplites
Melee Infantry (20)
3.Etruscan Axe Infantry
4.Etruscan City Guard
5.Italian Swordsmen
6.Native Aequi Swordsmen
7.Native Bruttii Tribesmen
8.Native Carthaginian Infantry
9.Native Gallic Axemen
10.Native Italian Hillmen
11.Native Latin Tribesmen
12.Native Ligurian Axe Warriors
13.Native Ligurian Swordsmen
14.Native Lucanian Warriors
15.Naked Native Warriors
16.Native Sabine Warriors
17.Native Samnite Infantryman
18.Native Sardi Hillmen
19.Native Sicilian Tribesmen
20.Native Tribeless Warriors
21.Native Umbrian Hillmen
22.Native Volsci Warriors
Missile Infantry (13)
23.Etruscan Archers
24.Etruscan Skirmishers
25.Etruscan Slingers
26.Native Iapygian Archers
27.Native Iapygian Javelinmen
28.Native Bruttii Slingers
29.Native Gallic Hunters
30.Native Greek Archers
31.Native Italian Skirmishers
32.Native Italian Slingers
33.Native Lucanian Ambushers
34.Native Sabine Skirmishers
35.Native Sardi Bowmen
Spear Infantry (8)
36.Etruscan Heavy Hoplites
37.Etruscan Hoplites
38.Etruscan Light Spearmen
39.Native Carthaginian Spearmen
40.Native Greek Militia
41.Native Latin Spearmen
42.Native Umbrian Spearmen
43.Native Volsci Spearmen
Melee Cavalry (6)
44.Etruscan Cavalry
45.Italian Cavalry
46.Native Aequi Horsemen
47.Native Campanian Cavalry
48.Native Gallic Horsemen
49.Native Ligurian Horsemen
Missile Cavalry (3)
50.Italian Horse Skirmishers
51.African Cavalry
52.Native Veneti Raiders
Chariot (1)
53.Etruscan Chariots
Elephant (1)
54.African Elephants
Fixed Artillery (1)
55.Etruscan Ballista
Field Artillery (1)
56.Etruscan Polybolos
Admiral (2)
57.Assault Tetreres - Etruscan Heavy Hoplites
58.Missile Penteres - Etruscan Archers
Melee Ship (10)
59.Assault Tetreres - Carthaginian Hoplites
60.Assault Hexeres - Sacred Band
61.Assault Dieres - Carthaginian Infantry
62.Assault Dieres - Carthaginian Hoplites
63.Assault Dieres - Sword Militia
64.Assault Tetreres - Etruscan Heavy Hoplites
65.Assault Tetreres - Italian Swordsmen
66.Assault Dieres - Etruscan Hoplites
67.Assault Dieres - Etruscan Light Spearmen
68.Assault Dieres - Italian Swordsmen
Missile Ship (4)
69.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Carthaginian Javelinmen
70.Missile Penteres - Etruscan Archers
71.Missile Trieres - Etruscan Archers
72.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Etruscan Slingers